News @ Warwick Chemistry

Cancer targeted with reusable ‘stinging nettle’ treatment

Nature Chemistry has recently published research, led by Professor Peter Sadler, that has developed a new line of attack against cancer: an organic-osmium compound, which is triggered using a non-toxic dose of sodium formate, a natural product found in many organisms, including nettles and ants.

Named JPC11, it targets a metabolic process which cancer cells rely on to survive and multiply. It does this by converting a key substance used by cancer cells to provide the energy they need for rapid division (pyruvate) into an unnatural lactate - leading to the cells’ destruction.